Display box



March 22, 1949. R. P. O'CONNOR 2,465,169

' DISPLAY BOX.

Filed Dec. 1:, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY Z/W ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 22, me

uNimosrArEs PATENT OFFICE nrsrnav BOX Richard P. O'Connor, Los Angeles, can. 7 Application December 13, 1948, Serial No. 65,037

6 Claims.

The present invention relates to boxes, and more particularly to paper or cardboard boxes or cartons suitable for holding and displaying various articles. I

An object of'the invention is to provide a display box which may be formed readily into a picture frame configuration.

Another object of the invention is to provide a box which may be formed from a single piece, and in which the various portions of the box are positively interlocked to retain the desired box shape, without the necessity of employing supplementary attachment devices, such as an adhesive.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a box having sloping inner side and end walls that are held in proper relation with respect to carton may be made 01' the like, and includes a generally rectangular End flaps l4, l5 project outwardly from both ends of each' outer side wall II. An outer end wall l6 projects upwardly ifrom one end of the box bottom section It, there being an inner end wall l1 extending downwardly toward the bottom from this outer wall. A ioot flap I8 is integral with each other by a portion of the box which iscapable of holding one or more articles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a box having slopin inner side and end walls and a panel secured to the inner walls in such manner as to overcome the inherent tendency of the inclined wallsto lift the panel from its assembled position.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several forms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail, illusthe inner end wall H, and is adapted to rest upon the bottom ll of the box.

An outer end wall I Qextends upwardly from the other end of the bottom section III. This wall is integral with an inner end wall .20 adapted to extend toward the bottom of the box. A panel section 2| extends from this inner wall 2|! toward the other inner end wall IT. This panel section trating the general principles of the invention;

but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display box, with portions folded into place;

Fig. 2 is a perspective pictorial view of the com pletely formed box;

Fig. 3 is a. plan view of a unitary blank, disclosing the shape of the box or carton prior to its being folded;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a the finished box shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken along the line 5-5 on Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of box;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of still another form of box; and

Fig. 8 is a section taken along the line 8-8 on Fig. 7.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive,

portion or includes an article holder portion 22, which may assume any desired shape. As shown in the drawings, it includes an inverted V -shaped mem ber having holes 23 therein for the reception of articles to be displayed. The side edges 24 of the holder portion are tapered in an upward and outward direction, to conform to the slope or inclination of the inner side walls H, as more particularly described below.

The panel section 2| may be disposed along the bottom of the box, or may be elevated thereabove, as desired. In any event, it extends from one end wall 20 to the 'opposed inner end wall l1, For the purpose of interlocking the various parts with respect to one another, the inner side walls l2 may be provided with outwardly directed,

shallow, generally U-shaped cuts or slits 25. Similarly, the inner end wall I! may be provided with corresponding cuts or slits 25. In all instances, the legs 21 of the slits terminate substantially at the hinge or fold line 28, 29 between the inner wall portions l2, l1 and the adjacent foot portions l3, l8. These cuts or slits 25, 26,

when the foot portions are bent along their respective fold lines, form slots 30, 3| adapted to receive the side tabs 32 and end tabs 33 on the panel section 24 of the box.

A unitary blank for the box is illustrated in Fig. 3, in which the various components of the box have been numbered to conform with the above description. The outer side walls I I may be swung upwardly with respect to the bottom seethe box or 56 tion In about their respective fold lines 34 The stifl paper, cardboard, or i inner side walls l2 may be swung inwardly and downwardly with respect to the outer side walls I I about their respective fold lines 35, while the side foot portions I: may be folded about their respective fold lines 23 where they join the inner walls.

Similarly, one of the outer end walls It may be folded about its fold line 35 at the end of the bottom section l0, and the end flaps H at this end of the box may also be folded about this same fold line 36. Of course, the sides of these end flaps l4 are not joined to the outer end walls l8, H. The inner end wall I! may be folded about a fold or hinge line 31 where it joins the outer end wall It, whereas the end foot flap l8 may be folded around the hinge line 29 where the legs 21 of the U-shaped slits 2G terminate.

At the other end of the blank the outer wall portion l9 may be folded around the hinge line 38 at the edge of the bottom section III, the end flaps I also being foldable about this same line with respect to the outer side walls H. I inner end wall 20 is also foldable about the line 33 marking the upper end of the outer end wall l3, whereas the panel section 2|, including the inverted V-shaped holder 22, may be folded about the line na marking the lower edge of the inner end wall 20 when folded to 'itsflnal position. In

. view of the inverted V shape of the holder portion 22, its tapering sides 22a may be bent along the line 4| extending between the apices of its tapered edges 24, whereas the remainder of the panel portion 2| may be folded along a line 42 marking the termination of the holder portion, in order to lie adjacent the bottom ill of the box.

In forming the box from the blank disclosed in Fig. 3, the end flaps l4, l5 are first bent upwardly about their respective hinge lines 35, 38 from the plane shown in the drawing, an theside wall members then folded upwardly about their hinge lines 34 adjacent the bottom section II), to dispose the end flaps l4, l5 inwardly toward each other and on top of the hinge lines 36, 38 for the end wall portions l6, l9. When in this position, the outer side walls extend upwardly from the box bottom. The inner side wall portions l2 may then be folded along the lines 35 to dispose them inwardly of the box toward one another, after which the foot portions l3 are folded along their hinge lines 28 to place them on top of the bottom section l0 and with their side slots 30 open, as shown in Fig. 1. The end wall I6 may now be folded upwardly about the fold line 36 at the bottom section to place the outer wall against the exterior of the end flaps l4, and the inner wall then folded about its joining line 31 with the outer wall It to dispose it inwardly of this outer wall. The end foot portion I8 is then folded with respect to the inner end wall II to dispose it adjacent the bottom section It and on top of the side foot portions l3.

Thereafter, the opposite end wall l3 may be folded upwardly about the line 38 joining it with the bottom section II), and the inner wall portion 20 folded about its hinge line 39 where it joins the outer wall section. The main portion of the panel 2| may then be disposed adjacent the bottom section ll! of the box, with its side tabs 32 and end tabs 33 in alignment with the corresponding side and end slots 30, 3|. The end tabs 33 are inserted into the end slots 3| and the opposed side tabs 32 into the adjacent side slots 30,. in order to lock the panel section 2| to the side and end members I2, l1 and dispose the tapered edges 24 of the holder portion in conformance and contact with the sloping inner side walls l2 (Fig. 2)

Since it is desired to have the finished box at the corners of these inner walls can be obtained by beveling the ends 40 of the inner side walls l2 and inner end walls i1, 20, as shown in the drawings. when the various components of the box are folded, these beveled ends 40' will Join one another along straight lines.

In order to further hold the box in its folded condition, the outer corners of the inner end walls I1, 20 may have projecting lugs 4| that will fit behind the adjacent beveled end edges 40 of the inner side walls l2, and thereby tend to prevent upward swing of the inner end walls I1, 20.

By providing the tabs 32, 33 on the panel member fitting into the slots 25, 25 formed in the side and end members l2, I1, 20, the various parts are interlocked securely with respect to one another, and the inherent tendency of the inner wall members to swing upwardly about their fold lines is prevented. The panel section 2| rests upon the foot portions I3, |3 toassist in holding the inner wall members l2, ||,-2l in a downward position.

It is apparent that a box has been provided in which all of the parts are securely interlocked with one another, and in which the inner walls slope inwardly toward the bottom portion 10 of the box to provide a picture frame effect, in which articles disposed within the holder portion 22 of the box can be displaced attractively. In the form of invention disclosed in Fig. 6, the foot portions l3, l8 are bent outwardly from the lower edges of the inner walls l2, l1, instead of being disposed in an inward direction, as shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 4. The outward bending of these foot portions still provides the slots 30, 3| for the reception of the tabs 32, 33 on the panel section 2|. The outward bending, however, possesses the advantage of making the side and end walls stronger and more rigid.

In the form of invention disclosed in Figs. 7 and 8, the panel portion 50 has been shaped to provide end sections 5| lying adjacent the bottom I0, in which side tabs 32a are disposed, adapted to be received within the companion slots 33a in the sloping side walls l2a. The free end of this panel section is also provided with tabs 33a adapted to be received within the slots 3| a in the inner end wall Ila. Between the end sections 5|, an elevated holder portion may be provided, consisting of a central flat section 52 resting upon the side walls I21; and supported by these tapered side walls above the bottom III of the box. This central section 52 has end walls 53 integral with the and sections 5| and provided with converging side edges 54 adapted to conform to the slope of the side walls I211.

The central portion 52 may have one or more suitably shaped openings 55 in which articles can be received. These articles can rest upon the bottom section III of the box and be confined from lateral movement by the sides of the openings 55.

From the foregoing descriptions, it is apparent that a display box has been'provided having a picture frame configuration, in which all of the parts are positively interlocked with respect to one another, so that the desired shape of the box is retained. Of course, if desired, the inner walls may be disposed at varlous'angles with respect to the bottom, and for that matter, may be made perpendicular to the bottom. Similarly, the angle or the outer walls ll, l6, l9 to the bottom i may adjacent said foot flaps; flaps extending from the opposite ends of said outer side walls and disposed be altered without departing from the present invention. I

The inventor claims:

1. In a foldable box: a, bottom section; outer side and end walls extending upwardly from said bottom section; inner'side and end walls extending downwardly from said outer walls toward said bottom section; a panel section extending from between the outer and inner end walls at each end of the box; lugs at the ends of the innerend walls engaging the beveled ends of said inner side I walls; said panel section having an article holder one of said inner end walls toward the opposite bottom section; inner side and end walls extending downwardly from said outer walls toward said bottom section and being inclined with respect to said bottom section, said inner side walls having beveled ends adjacent companion beveled ends on said inner end walls; a panel section extending from one of said inner endwalls toward the opposite inner end wall; said panel section and inner side walls having interlocking tabs and slots for holding said inner side walls against displacement with respect to said panel section.

3. In a foldable box: a bottom section; outer side and end walls extending upwardly from'said bottom section; inner side and end walls extending downwardly from said outer walls toward said bottom section, said inner walls being inclined with respect to said bottom section, said inner side walls having beveled ends adjacent companion beveled ends on said inner end walls; a panel section extending from one of said inner end walls toward the opposite innerend wall; foot flaps extending along said bottom section from the lower edges of said inner side walls and said opposite inner end wall; said panel section having tabs projecting therefrom and fitting within slots in said inner side wall and said opposite inner end wall, said slots being adjacent said foot flaps.

4. A i'oldable box formed from a unitary blank: a bottom section; outer side and end walls extending upwardly from said bottom section; inner side and end walls extending downwardly from said outer walls toward said bottom section, said inner walls being inclined with respect to said bottom section, said inner side walls having beveled ends adjacent companion beveled ends on said inner end walls; a panel section extending from one of said inner end walls toward the opposite inner end wall; foot flaps extending along said bottom section from the lower edges of said inner side walls and said opposite inner end wall; said panel section having tabs projecting therefrom and fitting within slots in said inner side walls and said opposite inner end wall, said slots being portion provided with side edges supported by said inclined inner sidewalls.

5. A folded open-faced display box comprising a bottom section, outer vertical side and end walls extending upwardly from said bottom section, inner side and end walls extending downwardly and inclined inwardly from said outer walls toward said bottom section, a panel section integral with one of said inner walls and extending toward the opposite inner wall, said panel section and inner walls .having interlocking tabs and slots for holding said inner walls against displacement with respect to said panel section, and lugs projecting from the ends of some of the inner walls and engageable with the ends of the adjacent inner walls, said panel section having an integral upwardly extending slotted transverse rib for holding and displaying small packages.

6. A folded open-faced display box comprising a bottom section, outer vertical side and end walls extending upwardly from said bottom section, inner side and end walls extending downwardly and inclined inwardly from said outer walls toward said bottom section, said inner side walls having beveled ends adjacent companion beveled ends on said inner end walls, a panel section integral with one of said inner walls and extending therefrom toward the opposite inner wall, said panel section and at least one of said inner walls having interlocking tabs and slots, and lugs projecting outwardly from the .ends of some of the inner walls and engageable with the ends of the adjacent inner walls, said panel section having an integral upwardly extending slotted transverse rib for holding and displaying small packages.

' RICHARD P. O'CONNOR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 564,593 Craw July 28, 1896 786,727 Hirsch Aug. 18, 1903 849,111 Fairchild Apr. 2, 1907 1,370,525 Eisenkraft Mar. 8, 1921 2,203,737 Moore June 11, 1940 2,303,264 Flick Nov. 24, 1942 2,430,609 Gwer Nov. 11, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 767,323 France Jan. 19, 1934 101,434

Sweden Apr. 22, 1941 

